ISLAMABAD: Japanese Ambassador Mitsuhiro Wada on Tuesday inaugurated the exhibition ‘Moku-Hanga, prints from Pakistan’ at the National Art Gallery, showcasing a unique fusion of traditional Japanese woodblock printing with Pakistani artistic sensibilities.

The exhibition, which would run till Oct 15, has been organised by the Pakistan-Japan Cultural Association Islamabad (PJCA) in collaboration with Khad’o Khaal Gallery, Comsats University, National Testing Service-Pakistan (NTS), Japanese Embassy and the Pakistan National Council of the Arts. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Ambassador Wada said Moku-Hanga, a traditional Japanese woodblock printing technique, had been a cornerstone of Japanese art for centuries.

“This exhibition not only showcases the beauty and elegance of Moku-Hanga but also serves as a bridge between our cultures, promoting cross-cultural understanding and appreciation,” the ambassador said.

PJCA President Jamal Shah, in his address, said Pakistan-Japan Cultural Association Islamabad (PJCA) was delighted to present the exhibition for art lovers.

This exhibition had been beautifully showcased in collaboration with Pakistani artists that reflected the diversity and richness of shared culture, he added.

The exhibition’s curator, Prof Dr Shahida Mansoor, said this pioneering project brought together Pakistani artists and Japanese experts to explore the centuries-old Moku-Hanga printmaking technique, characterised by its use of water-based inks and delicate, subtle results.

She said Moku-Hanga was created on handmade paper and the warm glow of these prints was due to water based eco-friendly paints and organic materials and humble tools made from natural materials.

The ambassador and PJCA president gave away the commendation certificate to Prof Dr Shahida Mansoor, the curator of the exhibition, as well as appreciation certificate to the participating artists. The exhibition would travel to Peshawar after Islamabad.

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2024